Wednesday, January 17, 2007

FSCA Legislative Update

S516 GENERAL BILL by Geller Autism Spectrum Disorder/Health Ins.; requires health insurer or HMO that offers major medical coverage to include coverage for treating minor for said disorder; defines term "autism spectrum disorder"; authorizes insurer or HMO to confirm diagnosis or review appropriateness of treatment plan; limits amount of annual coverage; provides that act does not affect licensure of health care professional or impair right to reimbursement of health care provider, etc. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2007. 01/09/07 SENATE Filed

S106 GENERAL BILL by Hill Child Care Facilities/Screening; provides that employment screening for good moral character is valid for 1 year; requires child care personnel to be rescreened using level 2 standards for screening; requires said personnel to be rescreened if person has break in his or her employment in child care industry for more than 90 days. Amends 402.305. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2007. 12/14/06 SENATE Filed 01/09/07 SENATE Referred to Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Criminal Justice

S150 GENERAL BILL by Posey Trucks/Minors Riding in Open Body; prohibits operator of pickup or flatbed truck from allowing minor to ride in open body of pickup or flatbed truck while on public road unless minor is restrained in safety restraints or secure seating; provides certain exceptions; provides that county is exempt from requirement upon majority vote of governing body of county. Amends 316.2015. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2007. 12/14/06 SENATE Filed 01/09/07 SENATE Referred to Transportation; Criminal Justice

S428 GENERAL BILL by Baker School Bus Stops/Safety; requires DOE to annually assess safety at school bus stops; requires each school district to submit annual report to DOE which includes plan to improve safety at school bus stops; requires DOE to adopt rules. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2007. 12/15/06 SENATE Filed

S570 GENERAL BILL by Rich (Compare H 0077, S 0020) Keeping Children Safe Act; creates said act; prohibits certain persons from visiting or contacting child without hearing & court order; requires that any order of visitation with child who is in temporary custody or permanent custody of DCFS be issued in conformity with specified provision; requires Fla. Family Visitation Network to develop standards for supervised visitation programs in order to ensure safety of children in each program, etc. Amends FS. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2007. 01/11/07 SENATE Filed

H187 GENERAL BILL by Vana Kautz Student Safety Sponsors Act; creates "Diana Kautz Student Safety Sponsors Act"; provides for district school boards to adopt policies for private sponsorship of described seat belt assemblies on school buses; requires sponsor signs to be covered when school buses are transporting passengers who are not school students; revises requirement that students use crash protection system on school bus, etc. Creates 1006.273; amends 1006.25,.261. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2007. 01/09/07 HOUSE Filed

S344 GENERAL BILL by Wilson Voluntary Prekindergarten Education; revises number of instructional hours that are required for school-year prekindergarten program delivered by private kindergarten provider; revises number of instructional hours that are required in order for student in said program delivered by public school or private prekindergarten provider to be considered full-time equivalent student in Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program, etc. Amends 1002.55,.63,.71. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2007. 12/15/06 SENATE Filed

S360 GENERAL BILL by Wilson Mandatory School Attendance/Age; changes ending age for mandatory school attendance from 16 years to 18 years. Amends 1002.20, 1003.21,.51. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2007. 12/15/06 SENATE Filed

S388 JOINT RESOLUTION by Wilson Commissioner of Education/Cabinet; constitutional amendment to create office of Commissioner of Education, who will be elected member of Cabinet & responsible for supervision of public education system in manner prescribed by law. Amends s. 4, Art. IV. 12/15/06 SENATE Filed

S406 GENERAL BILL by Dawson Schools/Nutrition/Health Services; requires nutritional standards for food that is available to school children on school campuses; requires State Board of Education to adopt rules; requires school districts to provide medical screening for type II diabetes for certain students. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2007. 12/15/06 SENATE Filed

S428 GENERAL BILL by Baker School Bus Stops/Safety; requires DOE to annually assess safety at school bus stops; requires each school district to submit annual report to DOE which includes plan to improve safety at school bus stops; requires DOE to adopt rules. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2007. 12/15/06 SENATE Filed

H187 GENERAL BILL by Vana Kautz Student Safety Sponsors Act; creates "Diana Kautz Student Safety Sponsors Act"; provides for district school boards to adopt policies for private sponsorship of described seat belt assemblies on school buses; requires sponsor signs to be covered when school buses are transporting passengers who are not school students; revises requirement that students use crash protection system on school bus, etc. Creates 1006.273; amends 1006.25,.261. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2007. 01/09/07 HOUSE Filed